in april 2007, investigators uncovered an illegal dog-fighting operation on the virginia farm of nfl superstar quarterback michael vick. >> and i have to pate consequences for it. >> reporter: he pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and served 19 months in a federal prison and became a lightning rod for critics. but few paid attention to the 51 pit bulls taken from vick's farm. their fate seemed sealed. >> we had been told these were the most dangerous aggressive dogs in america. >> but donna reynolds, who specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating pit bulls was on a panel of animal experts that found that the dogs were not aggressive towards people. the panel believed these dogs should get a chance to live. >> once we met the dogs, we knew that we had a lot of work to do because so many were shut down around people, scared to death. >> reporter: this is uba. in 2007, headlines branded him menacing. and this is uba today. >> he can wave. wave. there you go! >> reporter: meet frodo. >> your buddies. >> reporter: and johnny. >> what's this? >> when the 51 dogs were first evaluated, hopes f